Drill mechanism for arithmetic



L. R. DE LANE DRILL MECHANISM FOR ARITHMETIC Jan, 19, 1932.

Filed oct. 9, '1930 5 sheets-sneer 1 .m.). mam M MM V@ m my N im f5 w JI f Jan. 19, 1932. .1.. R. DE LANE 1,842,150

DRILLMEGHANISM FOR ARITHMETIC Filed Oct. 9, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Zlof' enjoel ame.

WW .15. f

A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1932.

L.. R. DE LANE.

DRILL MECHANISM FOR ARITHMETIC 5 .Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 9, 1930 IN VEN TOR.

Md 76,52/ ATTORNEYS.

" Jan. 19, 1932. L, R, DE LANE 1,842,150

DRILL MECHANISM FOR ARITHMETIC Filed oct. 9, 19:50 5 sheets-sheet 4 El l q il l! I v0 f .l

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1932. 1 R. DE LANE DRILL MECHANISM FOR ARITHMETIC Filed Oct. 9, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Z/'67] 0 73129230 A TTORNEYS.

NJ Il JIM/V41 au f E Eilciis Patented Jan. 19, 1932 LORENZO RANDOLPH DE LANE, OF GRANTS PASS, OREGON DRILL MECHANISM FOR ARITHMETIC Application filed October 9, 1939. Serial No. 487,593.

This invention relates to a drill mechanism for arithmetic. Y

An object of my invention is the provision of simple and efficient means for teaching c arithmetic..

Another object of my invention is the provision of mechanical means for quickly eX- posing to a person or a class, numerals tobe considered in mentally arriving at an answer.

A still further object of my invention is the construction of a machine that is simple to operate and which embodies a plurality of units, carrying numerals exposed upon strips, and which units are rotated in a peculiar manner for exposing varying numerals in arithmetic sums or problems, for the education of persons in the fundamental principles of mathematics.

Another object of my invention is the construction of eiiicient numeral carrying or eX- posing strips that are quickly attached or detached from the rotary units of my machine.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in i view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out i" D in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet containing my mechanism.

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of my a mechanism shown removed from the cabinet.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of the mechanism.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5, Figure .2, and looking in 45 the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6, Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure .7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the drums taken on line 7-7, Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, in elevation, of the lower part of Figure 2, showing in dotted lines, the movement of certain parts of the mechanism.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of another cabinet with my mechanism therein. Figure 1() is a perspective view of the push lever.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an arm or link of the apparatus.

Figure 12 is a plan view of one of the numeral carrying strips.

` Figure 13 is a fragmentary, perspective View of one of the drums, showing a numeral carrying strip being positioned thereon.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line 1%14, Figure 13.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the casing or cabinet in which the mechanism is placed. The mechanism comprises a platform 2 to which is fastened a frame 3. On the upper portion of frame 3 is mounted a shaft t (Fig. 7). @n shaft d are supported rotary drums 5, 6 and 7. Drum 5 is fixed to a sleeve 8, to which sleeve 8 is also fixedly secured a toothed disc 9. Drum 6 is Xedly secured to a rotatable sleeve 1() that is mounted on sleeve 8. Finedly secured to sleeve is a toothed disc 11. Drum 7 is iiXedly secured to a sleeve 12 to which sleeve is also secured a toothed' disc 13. All of the discs are positioned close together, and at one side of the drums for the purpose hereinafter specified.

Fastened to the front of the frame is a horizontal bar 1li (Fig. 4). This bar has preferably three outwardly extending brackets 15. Adjustable bolts 16 are mounted onthe brackets and each bolt has a brake wire 17 that bears against the hub portions of a drum; each wire 17 bears against the lower edge of horizontal bar 14 with its upper end pressing freely upon the hub of a drum, as shown by dotted lines Vin Figure 2. rFhis wire 17 acts as a brake retarding too free rotation of the drum. By loosening nuts 18 and moving the bolt 16 upward on bracket 15., the wire will be slightly bent, against the lower edge ot bar 14, causing greater pressure on the hub, or by moving the bolt 1G downward, through the adjustment of the nuts, the tension on wire 17 can be lessened.7 to permit Jreer rotation of the freely moving drum. lt will, therefore, be seen that I have provided brake means of a peculiar structure tor each drum.

Each drum .is provided on its periphery with an outwardly extending stud or headed member 19 (Fig. 13). A nunieral carrying strip 2O is positioned on each drum. This strip is provided near one end with an aperture 21a through which stud 19 extends. At the opposite end of strip 20, l Ytorn-1 two parallel apertures 21 and between these apertures 21 and the end of the strip, I form a single aperture 22. An elastic cord has its two ends 23 threaded up through apertures 21 and brought back flat on strip 20 and threaded downwardly through aperture 22 and tied in a knot at 24, with a portion of the cord upstanding through aperture 22 in the form of a loop 25. in other words, an elastic cord is formed in a loop 25 with the ends` ot the loop extending through apertures 21, thence 1nackward and downward through aperture 22 and tied in a knot 24 below the strip 20. Att-er the strip 20, through the medium ot aperture 21a, is placed on stud 19, then the operator can draw the strip taut on the drum by placing the elastic loop 25 on the stud 19. This is a simple and quick way et attaching or detaching the desired numeral carrying strip on each drum. in Figure 12, l have shown the numerals placed transversely across the strip, which will cause them to appear in the sight opening 2G of the cabinet, as shown in Figure 9, whereit the numerals and other characters of whatsoever nature are exposed on the strip in a tiered position or longitudinally thereoi", then they,vv will appear in the sight opening as shown in Figure 1. riheretore, it is entirely optional with the operator what strips are used on the drums for exposing a mathematical problem, and further it is optional whether the cabinet is in the position shown in Figure 1 or in Figure 9.

A large shaft- 27 is journalled upon the trent ot the iframe and is provided with a depending` finger 28, 'for the purpose hereinafter described. A hand operated lever 29 is pivotaily mounted at $30 upon the side of the trame 3 (Fig. 2). This lever 29 is provided with a post 31 and a post 32 is formed upon the side ot the trame. A coil spring 38 has one end secured to post 81 and its other end secured to post rlhis spring 33 normally holds the lever up, in an inoperative position. A post 34 is formed on the lower end of lever 29 on which post ivotally mounted dog Dog 35 has a large aperture 36 in which is positioned a post`57l The dog has a slight movement upon 7 to allow the dog to engage tooth 38 that is adjustably mounted on hub 39, which hub is secured to the large shaft 27. ln operation, the dog will torce the tooth 38 upwardly and will pass by the same during the stroke of the lever, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 8. Then as the dog falls backward to its normal position shown in Figure 2, the movement at the aperture 36 will allow the dog 35 to slide downward and pass the tooth 7 38. A coil spring 40 is Jfastened to the base or support 2 and is also :fastened at its upper end to the dog 35 in said aperture rl`his spring 4() also assists in returning the lever to its original position shown in Figure 2. A stop 41 (Fig. 2) on the 'trame 3 serves to limit the upward movement of the lever 29.

An angle arln 42 extends through the slot 43 of the cabinet 1 and is pivotally mounted on the frame at 44 (Fig. 2). This arm 42 has a spur 45 that may engage dog 35 and push it up, so that the dog will not engage the tooth 38, hence making the lever inoperative. Of Course, this places the entire machine out of operation.

Gn the large rocking shaft 27 (Fig. 3) is an integral arm 46 that extends under the toothed disc. A post 47 is formed on the inner end of arm 46. A long link 48 is pivotally mounted on post 47 and its upward movements is limited by striking against the outwardly extending lug 49a. On link 48, at bolt 49 is pivotally mounted the lever 50. Lever 50 is bifurcated at 5l (F 10), whereby it is permitted to straddle the upper end of link 48, with bolt 49 extending through the bifurcated end of the lever 50 and elongated slot 52 of said link 48, whereby an adjustment is obtained of the lever on its carryinglink 48. A stop 53 is formed near the lower end of lever 50 and engages the edge ott link 48 to limit the inward pivotal or swinging movement of the lever. A coil spring 54 has its upper end fastened in notch 55 ot lever 50 and its lower end fastened in notch 5G of link 48. A coil spring 57 is fastened at one end in the notch 58 of link 48 and its other end is fastened to lug 59 'formed on arm 46, near shatt 27. )Vhen the outer end of lever 29 is pushed downwardly, shaft 27 will be rocked, thereby raising arm 46, link 48 and le Yer 50, whereupon the upper herin Zontal end 60 of a lever 50 will press against the three toothed discs 9, 11 and 13, slightly rotating the discs, but when the dog 35 clears the end of tooth 38, during the upward movement of the dog, the spring 57 will pull inward on link 48, since it has been under great strain during the operation ot the lever, and will cause the end G0 of lever 50 to grab teeth on the toothed discs, causing the discs to whirl. It has been found troni actual experience with a full size working mechanism, that the toothed discs and their l i'nnuaireo (1o-operating drumsdo actually revolve at different speeds, because the end oflthe leverengages first altoOth-of one disc further out on its linclined edge, then=as dewnward movement continues, lever Asubsequently hooksonto a toothof e'achof the other discs, whereby allithel drums arel'rtated,`but one or more revolves faster than the other and they are stopped from revolvingas hereinafter described, so-that` every time the mechanism is operated, a new set of figures is exposed inthe sight opening 126 of the cabinet, giving t ie pupilfa'new example to perform.

t will,th :-refore, be seen that on the rocker shaft27, l iforma fixed arm Zl6`that carries a pivote. ly mounted'link 48 with Va'} )ivot'ally mounted grab lever 50,'the link and-lever beingheld in an operative position 4by coil springs, wherebythe -link-and -lever are allowed to swing youtwardly and snugly lit around fthe toothed discs, but through the action ofthe springs, they 'will cause thel discs andtheir drums tolbe operatedinan eiiicien't manner.

On thezhu'b of each drum is a stai' `wheel 61 (Fig. 6). A horizontal shaft`62 is mounted onthe frame. 'I preferably show Vthree pawls 68 pivotallyniountedon shaft 62- The upper end'64 of each pawl=63 engagesa star wheel 61 to lock thefdrum fromrotary 'movement in one direction. `Eachpaw'lhas a Efoot 65. Each `pawl has an inwardly exten-ding arm 66 with a nger 67 on its 'inner end. A lifter frame 68 is'iixedly securedtoroclring shaft 27 and this frame 68 is under Athe finger 67 of the three arms 66. When the rocker shaft 27 is operated through the lever 29, the frame 68 lifts upon the ar1ns66 and releases the pawls Afrom the Vstar wheels 61, whereby the drums can rotate iforwardly until the pawls aga-in engagethestar wheel. This engagement is retarded "progressively, as hereinafter described. A coil spring 69 is fastened to each arm 66; 'the upper end of the spring 69 is fastened to the arm, whereas its lower end .is fastened toga rod or bar 70 (Fig. 5) carried yby the frame. These springs 69 serve to hold the 'pawlsin engagement with the star wheels luntil 'the lever 29 is operated. A

The retarding device whichopera-tes on the feet 65 of the pawls 63 comprisesV a horizontal brake bar 71 (Fig. 5) that is pivotally mounted at 72, and this bar is adapted to'be pushed under the Vfeet 65 of the pawls, as shown by dotted lines, Figs. 5 and`6, when the'lever 29 is operated. rfh'is pushing'is accomplished by linger 28 hitting against upstanding lug 73 formed on thefbell crank lever 74; this lever 74 is ixedly secured to vertical shaft 74a, A coil spring 75 is adjustably fastened at its inner end 76 on the frame vB and -its other end is fastened to one'end of the bell crank lever 711, so as lto vhold the retarding device in anv inoperative position fr.while le# lil.

ver 29 is` inactive. A'linlr''? is connectedat oneliendito yone end Vof 'the bell crank vlever 74 and its other end is pivotally connected at 78 to the 'outer end of the brake bar 71. The vertical shaft 74a is suitably connected toa commongovernor device 79 consisting of onlyaitrain of meshing gears 79a forpreventing spring 75 from too quiclrly'returning the brake ba'r 71 toits normal position shown by full-lines in Figure 5, when the said bar is pushed'to its outer position shown by'dotted lines Iin Figure 5. When brake bar 17 is pushed to its outer position, under'the feet 65, vthis positioning of said brake bar 17 is permitted by reason of the lifter frame 68 (Figs. 4 and 6') having lifted up on the arms 66 of the pawls' 63,resulting inthe feet mov-` ingupward 4to the dotted position shown in Figure '6, to let 'bar 71 swing thereunder.

lll/*hen lever 29'is released, the'lifter 'frame68 l falls down, clear of the arms 66, Vresulting in the feet 65 engaging `bar 71. The gov'- ernor device then exerts a pull on link 7-7, causing the bar 7'1 to swing outwardly from under feet v65, but the clearing of said feetis done one at a time; irst, the inner .pawl is released, 'then the middle pawl and then the outer pawl, which causes the pawlslto engage the star wheels ata slightly ditlerent time, resulting in locking the drums `in position for evenly exposing a sum through the sight openingof the casing or cabinet. rrlways new ligures are shown by thismevement of the mechanism in the sight opening, giving the pupil anew example each time yto solve. A stop device (Figs. il and) is fformed on the jrframe )in the :path of the inwardly swinging brake bar 17 to stop its inward movement, as it swings from under `'the feet of lthe 'pa'wls `From the foregoi'ng description, it 'will Vbe noted that I have provideda mechanism for exposing a mathematical proposition which comprises a frameor support carrying independently operated figure-exposing drums, pawls co-operating 'with'said drums Vfor loclring the same against rotary movement in one direction,a 'retarding dev-ice for holding therpawls in an inoperative position, whereby one at aftime becomes loperativeon the drums, a lever co-e'perating with means for lifting the pawl's out-of engagement with the drums, and a lever means co-operating with the first lever means to actuate the drums, for `rotating the same when the pawls are held in a disengaging lposition therewith.

It is to be understood that when a vteacher ora child becomes tiredo'f pushing the lever 29, one can open the door (net shown) en the back ofthe casing or cabinet 1 and move the drum or drums forward with the hand at any rate of speed. 'Different exposures are made through lthe sight opening26 of the cabinet by 4moving oneor all the drumsata time.

YAs hereinbefore indicated, the numerals use may be printed parallel or horizontal on the strips or pads in series of l to 10. There are preferably ten characters or figures on each strip 20. A very large number of strips 20 can be printed for use on the mechanism, with the various number combinations, etc. It is to be understood that the four fundamentals, forty-nine number combinations, percentage and decimals can be used when the cabinet is set upright as shown in Figure l. The signs, to wit: plus, minus, times and divide are used on the strips placed on the central drum for grades in school from 1 to Ll. In the upper grades, the teacher demonstrates the kind of operation to be drilled. The pads or strips 2O are quickly and easily changed. The speed of the mechanism or rather the person who operates it can vary its speed. A child can operate the mechanisn while the teacher is worlring with another division of the class.

The color of the outside of the casing or cabinet is preferably a pea green, which is pleasing and easy on the eyes.

lVhile I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates, and l, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

`What l claim is:

l. ln a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of drums rotatably mounted on said frame, brake means on said frame and co-operating with said drums for retarding their rotary movement, pawl means on said frame and engaging said drums for locking the same against rotary movement in one direction, and lever means co-operating with said drums for imparting rotary movement to all of said drums.

2. n a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of drums mounted on said frame, tension retarding-devices carried by said frame and engaging separately said drums for limiting their free rotary movement, pawl means carried by said frame and engaging said drums for limiting rotary movement of the drums in one direction, means for releasing said pawl means, and means for separately imparting rotary movement to said drums.

3. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of drums rotatably mounted on said frame, said frame provided with bar having brackets thereon, bolts adjustably mounted on said brackets, wires fastened at their lower ends to said bolts and bearing against the lower edge of said bar and also against said drums,

and means for imparting rotary movement to said drums.

4f. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of drums provided with hubs mounted upon said frame, said frame provided with a horizontal bar, said bar provided with outwardly extending brackets corresponding in number to said drums, bolts vertically adjustable on said brackets, yieldable wires fastened at the lower ends around the lower end of said bolts, said wires engaging the lower edge of said bar and adapted to be bent upon the same, said wires having their upper free ends engaging the hubs of said drums, and means on said frame for rotating said drums.

5. ln a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of drums rotatably mounted on said frame, pawls on said frame and engaging said drums for locking them against rotary movement in one direction, a retarding device for engagino4 said pawls and holding them for a short time out of engagement with said drums, and means for rotating said drums.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame., of a plurality of drums rotatably mounted on said frame, each drum provided with a star wheel, pawls rotatably mounted on said frame and noi'- nally in engagement with said star wheels, each pawl provided with a foot, a retarding bar adapted to move under the feet of said pawl for holding them from engagement with said star wheels, a governor device connected to said retarding bar and adapted to move the same from under the feet of said pawls, and means for operating said governor device and retarding bar and synchronously operating said drums for rotating the same.

7. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of character carrying Adrums mounted on said frame, pawls on said frame and engaging said drums, a retarding device slidably engaging the pawls for permitting them to progressively engage and lock the drums against rotary movement in one direction, and lever means on said frame for imparting rotary movement to said drums.

8. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurailty of character carrying drums on said frame. each drum provided with a star wheel, a pawl on said frame for each star wheel, said pawl provided with an outstanding foot and with an outstanding arm, means' for synchronously engaging the arms of all the pawls for moving the pawls to an inoperative position with their feet in a lifted position, a governor controlled retarding bar adapted to move under said feet when in a lift-ed position, said retar-ding bar adapted to progressively clear said feet for allowing the pawls one at a time to engage the star wheels, and means for imparting rotary movement to said drums when the pawls are in an inoperative position.

9. ln a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of character carrying drums mounted on said frame, each drum provided with a toothed disc, a rocker shaft mounted on said frame, said rocker shaft provided with an arm, a link movably mounted on said arm. Va push lever movably mounted on said link and adapted to engage all of and operate said toothed discs, and lever means on said frame and adapted to operate said rocker shaft for imparting movement to said push lever.

l0. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of character carrying drums mounted on said frame, each drum provided with a toothed disc, a rocker shaft mounted on said frame and provided with an inwardly extending arm, a link pivotally mounted on said arm, said arm provided with means for limiting inward pivotal movement of said link, a spring carried by said arm and link for eX- erting an inward pull on the link, a push lever straddling the upper end of and adjustably mounted on sai-d link, means on said push lever for limiting movement thereof with re- Y spect to said link, a spring on said push lever and link for exerting an inward pull upon the lower end of the push lever, and lever means on said frame and co-operating with said rocker shaft for imparting movement thereto.

l1. n a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of drums carried by said frame, a rocker shaft on said frame, means operated by said rocker shaft for rotating said drums, said rocker shaft provided with a tooth, a manually operated lever on said frame, and a movable dog on the inner end of said lever and adapted to engage and clear said tooth when the lever is operated, for imparting movement to the rocker shaft.

l2. A numeral carrying` strip for a mathematical mechanism, comprising an elongated strip having characters exposed thereon, said strip provided near one end with a stud receiving aperture, said strip provided at its opposite end with a pair of apertures and a single aperture contiguous to said pair, a looped elastic cord having its ends threaded through said pair of apertures and down through said contiguous aperture, with the loop extending up through said contiguous aperture, and said ends of said cord tied together under said contiguous aperture.

13. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of character carrying drums one mount-ed upon the other carried by said frame, each drum provided with an independent toothed disc, pawl means for holding said drums against movement in one direction, and means 

